The Alhaji Tanko Yakasai-led Northern Elders Council, NEC, yesterday dismissed the three months’ ultimatum given to President Goodluck Jonathan by the Amb. Maitama Sule-led Northern Elders Forum, NEF, as unreasonable.
The NEF had given President Jonathan two months’ ultimatum to produce the Chibok girls or forget the support of northerners in his 2015 ambition.
Two members of the forum, Barr. Solomon Dalung and Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who addressed journalists in Kaduna after their meeting, warned, “In the event that President Jonathan fails to do this, Nigerians will be left with the only conclusion that he has forfeited his right to ask for our mandate beyond 2015.”
The AlhajI Yakasai-led group dismissed the ultimatum as “child’s play” while inaugurating its Board of Trustees (BoT) in Kaduna.
Speaking to journalists, Yakasai said the ultimatum has no substance and merits: “You see, when young people are talking, at times they talk out of thought; you know they are our juniors. You know what the elder can foresee the younger man can go on top of the tree and will not see.”
Reacting to the statement, a member of the NEF and former federal permanent secretary, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said: “Is the Northern Elders Council the mouthpiece of the president? When have they become the federal government’s spokesperson? As far as we are concerned, the three months’ ultimatum still stands. And from all indications, Jonathan has failed and has no reason to ask for the mandate of the northerners.”
Yakasai, however, said insecurity has unfortunately become an abnormal thing now not only in Nigeria but all over the world. “Look at what is happening in Libya. Two years ago, Libya was a peaceful country; today it is shattered into pieces. See what is happening in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and other places. It is a worldwide phenomenon,” he said. “I think what is required is for the government to plan, allocate more funds and also seek the advice and support of the international community, because now we are living in a world of global village.
“Everybody, every human being, has a contribution to make to any country that is in trouble. It is only by working together with your people and the people from outside that we will be able to achieve results,” he added.
Alhaji Yakasai said the Council is intended to provide a platform for a proactive and constructive engagement in the socio-economic and political spheres of the north in particular and Nigeria in general.
“The Council is totally opposed to the use of reckless and inflammatory statements and utterances which may tend to overheat the polity and undermine the effort of patriotic Nigerians who are focused on building a virile and prosperous nation,” said Yakasai.
Also speaking, the chairman of the newly constituted Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Council, Alhaji Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta, said the nation cannot continue to pretend that things are all rosy today, but he advised that the situation is by no means insurmountable.
“The good news is that, in the midst of all these challenges, our country has remained resilient and has successfully held together. We recognize the efforts of the federal government under the able leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in managing the complex challenges with firmness and effectiveness. We are convinced that such efforts can take this country out of the turbulent waters of insurgency and underdevelopment,” he said.
Kaduna State governor Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero said never before has the nation been subjected to the fearful level of insecurity and wanton destruction of lives and property as the present situation in some parts of the region.
Yero, who was represented by his deputy, Amb. Nuhu Bajoga, said life has become so cheap in the north as innocent people are killed on a daily basis without justification whatsoever..
The NEF had given President Jonathan two months’ ultimatum to produce the Chibok girls or forget the support of northerners in his 2015 ambition.
Two members of the forum, Barr. Solomon Dalung and Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who addressed journalists in Kaduna after their meeting, warned, “In the event that President Jonathan fails to do this, Nigerians will be left with the only conclusion that he has forfeited his right to ask for our mandate beyond 2015.”
The AlhajI Yakasai-led group dismissed the ultimatum as “child’s play” while inaugurating its Board of Trustees (BoT) in Kaduna.
Speaking to journalists, Yakasai said the ultimatum has no substance and merits: “You see, when young people are talking, at times they talk out of thought; you know they are our juniors. You know what the elder can foresee the younger man can go on top of the tree and will not see.”
Reacting to the statement, a member of the NEF and former federal permanent secretary, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said: “Is the Northern Elders Council the mouthpiece of the president? When have they become the federal government’s spokesperson? As far as we are concerned, the three months’ ultimatum still stands. And from all indications, Jonathan has failed and has no reason to ask for the mandate of the northerners.”
Yakasai, however, said insecurity has unfortunately become an abnormal thing now not only in Nigeria but all over the world. “Look at what is happening in Libya. Two years ago, Libya was a peaceful country; today it is shattered into pieces. See what is happening in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and other places. It is a worldwide phenomenon,” he said. “I think what is required is for the government to plan, allocate more funds and also seek the advice and support of the international community, because now we are living in a world of global village.
“Everybody, every human being, has a contribution to make to any country that is in trouble. It is only by working together with your people and the people from outside that we will be able to achieve results,” he added.
Alhaji Yakasai said the Council is intended to provide a platform for a proactive and constructive engagement in the socio-economic and political spheres of the north in particular and Nigeria in general.
“The Council is totally opposed to the use of reckless and inflammatory statements and utterances which may tend to overheat the polity and undermine the effort of patriotic Nigerians who are focused on building a virile and prosperous nation,” said Yakasai.
Also speaking, the chairman of the newly constituted Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Council, Alhaji Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta, said the nation cannot continue to pretend that things are all rosy today, but he advised that the situation is by no means insurmountable.
“The good news is that, in the midst of all these challenges, our country has remained resilient and has successfully held together. We recognize the efforts of the federal government under the able leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in managing the complex challenges with firmness and effectiveness. We are convinced that such efforts can take this country out of the turbulent waters of insurgency and underdevelopment,” he said.
Kaduna State governor Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero said never before has the nation been subjected to the fearful level of insecurity and wanton destruction of lives and property as the present situation in some parts of the region.
Yero, who was represented by his deputy, Amb. Nuhu Bajoga, said life has become so cheap in the north as innocent people are killed on a daily basis without justification whatsoever..
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